Aussie Gr1 – Winner Decided In Boardroom
Standout stallion Jacquinot added another Group 1 win to his resume when he was awarded the Gr1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) after a protest hearing at Sandown on Saturday.
Originally narrowly beaten in a finish by Gentleman Roy, Jacquinot was promoted to the winner after a successful protest from rider Damian Lane for interference in the closing stages.
Although Connections were not keen on winning the first Group 1 race of 2023, after the appeal they were satisfied that the correct horse was the winner.
It was the second win at the elite level of racing for the son of Rubick after he flew at the Golden Rose in Sydney last spring to beat star filly In Secret.
JACQUINOT (Rubick x Ponterro) fights to the line in the G1 CF Orr Stakes to end a short half-header after being interrupted by Gentleman Roy. The protest was ACTIVATED and the race passed to Jacquinot. Ridden by Damian Lane. (Photo by Bronwen Healy. The image is everything – Bronwen Healy Photography.)
Assistant trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr said the win was an important win against the older horses and he will be aiming for more wins at weight for age in the fall.
“He’s a colt and that gets him two Group Ones now, which is very important,” Price noted. “It was a serious intrusion – it’s the job of the stewards to measure the lost margin and then make a decision.”
Kent Jnr was impressed with the filly’s performance, a graduate of the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was a member of the Coolmore Stud Draft.
“He’s a super horse,” commented Kent Jnr. “The key was that he jumped well and put himself in a good position.”
“He beat the older horses and now we have to decide whether we go to Futurity or what we do – it was a tremendous win.”
Watch the replay and the Stipes explanation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f9FAN1reRw
“I’m sorry about the other horse’s connections but like Damian said – he (Gentleman Roy) should never have won and it’s the right result,” added Kent Jnr.
Jacquinot’s driver Damian Lane insisted the stewards made the right decision.
“Win them any way you can,” Lane said after the hearing. “But he should have won here, so the right decision was made.”
“He’s just a really good horse.”
“He just needs a bit of catching up so he was just getting into his work as I found my run and as he mastered that nasty bump I felt like I had Gentleman Roy covered before that happened – so must.” we hit him afterwards. ”
“The horse has a great will to win. He’s shown he’s adaptable now from 1200 to 1400, so just a really good colt who knows where the winning post is.”
“Yeah sure,” Lane added when asked if he was one of the better stallions he’d ridden. “He will certainly go that way.”
Jacquinot wears the colors of the Qatar Bloodstock, having secured an interest in the stallion with partners such as Widden Stud following his Golden Rose success.
The exciting stallion is a five-time winner in just 10 starts – four of his wins have been at group level.
So far, Jacquinot is the only named foal for the blue-blooded Pierro mare Ponterro.
Ponterro is the most inherited mare Pontiana by Redoute’s Choice and ready for action. The quality winners Inference, Dragon Leap and Illation were produced at the Pontiana Stud.
Winner: Jacquinot
- Breeding: Rubick-Ponterro (Pierro)
- Breeder: Mr. LP Maxsted
- Race: MRC CF Orr Stakes G1 (1400m)
- Passed for: $90,000
- Offer: 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
- Seller: Coolmore Stud (as Agent)
- Reserve: A$120,000
- Earnings: A$2,381,040
- Owner: Widden Stud Jacquinot, Qatar Bloodstock Ltd, Trilogy, Harbor Bloodstock, LP Maxsted, S Tuxen, P Allen, Mrs C Allen, G Hayes, Mrs H Hayes, GPI Racing, Bangaloe Stud, Double R , Lakefish, G1G Racing, Glenlogan Park, Greenhaven Park, Laurel Oak Jacquinot, PT Blair & Mrs. A. McDonnell
- Trainers: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jr.) (Cranbourne)